Product Announcements – Page 72 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master “Seeks, Strikes and Destroys” in 2013

As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).

In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.

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Hobby Master "Seeks, Strikes and Destroys" in 2013

As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).

In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.

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Dragon Goes for a Dip

Images have now been posted for Dragon’s second take on its 1:72 scale Ka-Mi amphibious tank. Painted in a light ocean blue pattern, their latest Imperial Japanese Navy tank represents a vehicle tied to the 27th Naval Special Ground Base Guard, then located at Aitape, New Guinea, during July-August 1944 (DRA60584). Dragon is claiming a February release, even though their first look at the Ka-Mi has yet to hit the surf.

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Dragon Fans Out For Our Winter of Discontent

Admittedly, we’ve let our action figures section tail off of late, largely because there really hasn’t been anything to crow about lately. Well, the dry spell seems to have run its course and now it appears as if a truly awe-inspiring product is about to see the light of day. According to Dragon, their 13th Anniversary figure, “Igor Ivanovich Bazarov”, is nearing release, and already looks to be a winner (DRF70385). This all-new light machine gunner comes complete with an Aerosan RF-8 which is a type of propeller-driven snowmobile, running on skis, used for communications, mail deliveries, medical aid, emergency recovery and border patrolling in northern Russia, as well as for recreation. Aerosanis were used by the Soviet Red Army during the Winter War and World War II.

According to research, the first aerosanis may have been built between 1903-05 by Sergei Nezhdanovsky. In 1909–10 young Igor Sikorsky tested self designed aerosani, before he built multi-engine airplanes and helicopters. They were very light plywood vehicles on skis, propelled by old airplane engines and propellers.

Priced at $269.99, this is a marvelous way of reintroducing enthusiasts to the world of action figures and a terrific centerpiece to anyone’s military replica collection.

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Dragon Prepares its Winter Offensive

Despite falling behind schedule, Dragon is continuing to show off lots of new 1:72 scale armor, no doubt as part of their grand offensive in 2013. Among the new introductions is this Ersatz M10 tank destroyer, which, in effect, is a modified Panther tank featuring bolted on armor around the superstructure to make it look like a US M10 tank destroyer (DRR60529). Also shown for the first time is a FLaK 37 88mm anti-aircraft gun, used in the harsh urban environs of Stalingrad in late 1942. Finally, up for consideration is a British Churchill Mk. III infantry tank, painted in a mottled summer camouflage pattern to reflect its usage in the mountains of Tunisia during 1943.

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Century Wings Holds Up Its Latest F-14 for Scrutiny

Delayed until January, Century Wings has finally rolled open its hangar doors so onlookers can peruse their latest F-14 installment. Based upon a bird that served with VF-1 “Wolfpack,” during 1991 (CW001600), their newest Fleet Defense Fighter boasts loads of armament and hi-fidelity features we’ve all come to expect from Century Wings. We’re hoping that more new aircraft aren’t too far behind, possibly including some new aircraft types long rumored to be languishing on the drawing board.

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Minichamps Shares More Simoncelli Photos

As we continue to await the arrival of his 2011 Honda RC212V MotoGP bike, Minichamps took the wraps off of Marco Simoncelli’s midnight black test bike. Expected in March 2013, this is another one of those tribute bikes that will likely soar in value once collectors get wind of it. Pre-orders are still being accepted although this window will likely close soon as we near our allocation level.

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Hobby Master Keeps 'em Coming

Showing no signs of abatement, Hobby Master debuted their April 2013 releases late yesterday. No new toolings were shown off and the number of new introductions is certainly way down compared with previous monthly announcements. Still, there are several noteworthy new products in the mix, including a F-105D Thunderchief in southeast Asian camouflage, an F-16CG Fighting Falcon and a German Opel Blitz that was attached to the 8th Gebirgsjager Division then deployed to Bologna, Italy. We hope to have all of the new items up on our web site this weekend.

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Hobby Master Keeps ’em Coming

Showing no signs of abatement, Hobby Master debuted their April 2013 releases late yesterday. No new toolings were shown off and the number of new introductions is certainly way down compared with previous monthly announcements. Still, there are several noteworthy new products in the mix, including a F-105D Thunderchief in southeast Asian camouflage, an F-16CG Fighting Falcon and a German Opel Blitz that was attached to the 8th Gebirgsjager Division then deployed to Bologna, Italy. We hope to have all of the new items up on our web site this weekend.

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Unimax Launches Smithsonian Wheels 2 Wings Series

Always looking to build upon success, Unimax, the makers of the wildly popular Forces of Valor series, has announced the launch of a brand new range dubbed Smithsonian Wheels 2 Wings Heritage series. According to their hand out:

“Wheels-2-Wings is a new brand produced by Unimax, the makers of Forces of Valor. Wheels-2-Wings brings you highly detailed recreations of iconic machines found in world-class collections from around the world. Our first series features planes found in The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight.”

The first products are expected in February with more military and non-military themed subjects in the pipeline for 2013.

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